What Should We Do This Weekend? Columbus, Ohio, June 16-18, 2023

Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Columbus? Try out one of these family-friendly Columbus and Ohio–based events and activities!

Family-Friendly Things to do in Columbus, Ohio this Weekend:

1. Pack Summer Care Kits for Neighbors in Need with Seeds of Caring

Help your kids gain empathy for our unhoused neighbors with this Anywhere Project from Seeds of Caring. You’ll pack 2+ Summer Care Kits with a deck of cards, gum, earbuds, and more. (Full list is included in your service packet, and all items can be found at dollar stores). Then add a handmade cheer card with a message of encouragement for those served by Faith Mission’s men’s shelter. This project is available through June 25, 2023.

2. Commons for Kids at Columbus Commons

Every Friday this Summer from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM enjoy activities for kids at Columbus Commons! There will be free carousel rides, inflatables, face painting, balloon twisting and a theme each week. This week’s theme is Going Green!

3. Big Machines at COSI

Learn about the Science of Big Machines and get up close to real machinery and equipment. This event will be taking place at COSI from June 10-18! It will be held outside next to Dorrian Green Park. COSI opens daily at 10:00 AM.

4. Over the Edge Benefitting Gracehaven

This rappelling event begins on Friday at 10:00 AM and benefits Gracehaven. The event features the opportunity to rappel 330 feet down the Chase Tower in downtown Columbus! A few well-known community members will be rappelling! There will also be a flash mob by Columbus Cultural Orchestra, Kona Ice, Schmidt’s Food Truck, a hip hop violinist, a kids activity area and more! Register online.

5. Plain City Touch-A-Truck at Pastime Park

Explore all kinds of vehicles on Friday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Pastime Park. This is a free event that includes construction and emergency vehicles, community partners, plus ice cream and coffee trucks.

6. Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival in Goodale Park

The Columbus Pride Festival takes place on Friday from 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM and Saturday from 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM in Goodale Park. It features over 200 nonprofit and corporate vendors, 2 performances stages, a DJ, community resources and wellness area, food vendors, and a youth area. The Stonewall Pride March steps off at Broad & High at 10:30 AM on Saturday.

7. Heart of Grove City Wine and Arts Festival

The Grove City Wine and Arts Festival takes place on Friday at 5:00 PM and Saturday at 11:00 AM in Historic Town Center. There will be food artisans, food trucks and dessert vendors in addition to over 20 Ohio wineries. There will also be artisan vendors for shopping!

8. Worthington Arts Festival

The Worthington Arts Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday on the Worthington Village Green. Hours are Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sunday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. There will be artist demonstrations, a scavenger hunt, concessions, artist booths.

Related: 5 Super Fun Playgrounds in Worthington

9. Columbus Children’s Festival at SportsOhio

The Columbus Children’s Festival takes place on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at SportsOhio in Dublin. There will be a Teenage Ninja Mutant concert, bounce park, live entertainment, candy hunt, carnival games, pony rides, putting zoo and lots more!

10. Kids Series at Grandview Theater & Drafthouse

Grandview Theater and Drafthouse is offering free admission for kids to movies on Saturdays and Wednesdays! This Saturday’s movie is E.T. and it will be shown at 10:30 AM.

Related: 17 of the Best Restaurants in Grandview

11. Young’s Farmstead Cheese 14th Anniversary Weekend at Young’s Jersey Dairy

Celebrate the 14th anniversary of Young’s Farmstead Cheese with samples of cheese, cheese curds on sale, and Farmstead cheese making tours from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM! This event takes place on Saturday and Sunday.

Related: 3 Fun Things to do with Kids in Yellow Springs

12. JuneteenthOhio Festival at Genoa Park

The JuneteenthOhio Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 12:00 PM each day. It features live music, a career fair, a marketplace, activities for kids, a car show and more! Tickets are available (and discounted) online.

13. Nature Detectives at Blacklick Woods Nature Center

On Saturday at 2:00 PM meet at the Blacklick Woods Nature Center to learn about the clues animals leave behind on a half mile hike.

14. Tree ID Hike at Glacier Ridge Metro Park

Take a guided hike in Glacier Ridge Metro Park to learn how to ID tree species in the park. This hike begins on Saturday at 3:00 PM.

15. Summer Music Series in Historic Dublin

Enjoy live music in Historic Dublin on Saturday from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

16. Juneteenth – Jubilee Day Festival at Ohio Village

This event takes place in Ohio Village on Sunday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Activities will include historical interpretations, storytelling, multimedia presentations, dancing and more!

17. Sundays in the Park at Topiary Park

Sundays in Topiary Park include food trucks, live music and games! This event starts at 1:00 PM on Sunday.

18. Columbus Eagles FC vs. Dayton Dutch Lions at Historic Crew Stadium

Watch the Columbus Eagles FC (Columbus’ Women’s Soccer team) take on Dayton Dutch Lions at Historic Crew Stadium on Sunday at 2:00 PM.

19. Father’s Day at Ye Olde Mill

Spend Father’s Day at Ye Olde Mill with a fishing derby, K9 Demo, balloon artist and live music by Matt Shannon. Hours are 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM.

20. Sounds of Summer Concert Series in Westerville

This free concert takes place at the Alum Creek North Park Amphitheater at 6:30 PM on Sunday.

*Please be aware,  information is gathered from multiple community sources.  Times, dates and locations are subject to change. There may be a fee to participate in a featured activity.  Please call ahead or check links to confirm activities. Inclusion of an event on this list is not considered an endorsement. Please use your best judgement when attending public events and consult your doctor if you have questions regarding the safety level of a public event. Read my disclaimer here. Enjoy what you do today!*